Consumers Look to Dine Out Securely

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine you're at a restaurant enjoying a good meal. Now imagine the worse thing that could happen. Maybe the food was unsatisfactory and must be returned to the kitchen. Or perhaps the cuisine didn't agree with you and will take several days to remedy. But the worst thing that could happen: identity theft when paying by credit card, which could take a lifetime to straighten out.

Think about it -- where else but in a restaurant does a consumer's credit card leave their sight? In an era when identity theft, credit card skimming, and security breaches are epidemic, swiping a credit card in sight would seem a necessity. See http://www.dineoutsecurely.com

Technology that allows restaurant customers to pay at the table exists and is in widespread use throughout Europe. American restaurants have been slow to adopt tableside payment, while patrons have been equally as silent demanding protection when dining out. Wireless manufacturer Ingenico has a handheld device for the restaurant industry that is at the forefront of this emerging technology.

"In an age of self-service everything -- from gas to groceries -- it makes sense to eliminate the one source remaining where your credit card actually leaves your sight," said Curt Waite, an independent sales contractor for Equity Commerce, L.P. Most restaurant transactions require a server to walk to a processing station, where the opportunity for error or malice is most prevalent. "What customer wouldn't want the security that pay at table service provides?"

    For swipe-in-sight restaurant service, here's how it works:

    -- At the end of the meal, a server brings the customer's bill and
       wireless credit card device to the table.
    -- The customer swipes his credit card through the handheld device.
    -- The chargeable amount appears on screen, along with options for adding
       a tip -- 15%, 18%, 20% or other amount.
    -- After selecting a server tip (calculated automatically), the device
       prints a receipt for signature and a copy for the customer.
    -- Transaction complete -- and the credit card never left the customer's
       possession.

Wireless processing devices also allow diners to use PIN debit cards, adding another layer of security for the consumer and reduced processing fees for restaurants.

For more information or to locate a restaurant displaying the Secure Dine logo, visit http://www.dineoutsecurely.com or phone 877-218-5020.